15 Absolutely Totally Incredibly Kick Ass Books

1. LOLITA by Vladimir Nabokov : The words seduce,
entice, and lure the reader into
Nabokov’s brilliancy until we descend inside the
pages. This book cannot be rated. It is completely off the charts.

2. THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY OF A PART-TIME
INDIAN by Sherman
Alexie: I already ordered several copies to
give to family and friends because everybody should be required to read this
book, devour it, love it, and savor the messages of hope, not only for American
Indian People, but for ALL of humanity. I’m in love w/ Sherman.

3. DISGRACE by Coetzee: “Disgrace” begins with an affair. 52 year
old, Professor
David Lurie, crosses the uncrossable line when he has an affair with one of his
19 year old students. Lurie cares about
nobody but himself, and in the end, gets everything he deserves. Dazzling Narrative

4. STILL
ALICE by Lisa
Genova: Imagine yourself jogging in
your own neighborhood
and quite suddenly – not able to find your way home. Imagine pulling your underwear
over your head rather than your bra. Imagine not recognizing your own face in
the mirror. Now imagine that woman is you.Alzheimer’s disease affects everybody…..I interviewed Lisa Genova HERE

5. THE BELL JAR by Sylvia Plath: “The silence depressed me. It wasn’t the silence of silence. It was my own silence.” ~Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

6. THE BOOK OF RUTHby Jane Hamilton: Reading
Jane Hamilton’s “Book of Ruth” is like diving into a sea of
outrageous, uncivilized, hideous dysfunction. It is like drowning. It is like observing
from below the surface and unable to do a damn thing about the events happening
before your eyes. This was Oprah’s first Book Pick.

7. DRY by Augusten Burroughs: Augusten Burrough’s memoir, DRY, is an incredibly candid
account of an alcoholic and drug addict who has fallen so deeply into the abyss
that he is finding it impossible to climb out of the darkness. Burroughs has NO
boundaries. He gives the readers
Everything. I kind of dig that in an
author.

8. EVENING
by Susan Minot: “Evening” is a
Picasso painting with a heartbeat. Every sense will be heightened and
alive; every moment matters; every disconnected brush stroke will reconnect in
the end. Pure Profuse Perfection.

9. LITTLE BEE by Chris Cleave: “Sad words are just another beauty. A sad story means, this storyteller is alive. The
next thing you know something fine will happen to her, something marvelous, and
then she will turn around and smile.” If that quote doesn’t make you want to
devour Little Bee, nothing will.

10. THE UNABRIDGED JOURNALS OF SYLVIA PLATH by
Sylvia Plath : “God, is this all it
is, the ricocheting down the corridor of laughter and tears? Of self-worship
and self-loathing? Of glory and disgust?”
–S.P. This book will burn inside
the reader’s hands.

11. THE SCENT OF GOD by Beryl Singleton Bissell: Beryl is a nun. She falls in love with the Italian
Priest. Need I say more? So very Thorn Birdy!

A note:
after Kay was murdered, Beryl invited me to her home on the North Shore
for lunch, conversation, & prayer.
She’s amazing and inspiring.

-Me and Beryl Singleton Bissell!

12. THE HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG by Andre Dubus
III : Overflowing with symbolism,
metaphor, and layer after layer of beauty, misery, and sadness.
I loved this book.

13. A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini: Set in Afghanistan… This is a story of oppression, terror,
bondage, love, and friendship. You will
find yourself screaming in air. BeyondBrilliant.

14. TALK BEFORE SLEEP by Elizabeth Berg: “I will come back as a little breeze. You
will feel me on your face, and you will know that I am still listening. So you
can still talk to me.” A story about
friendship, loyalty, & girlfriends, but mostly, a story about love.

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97 Comments

Trish

July 1, 2012 at 5:16 pm

Thanks for the list- I have not read about half of these so I will have to check them out. I have a short list of all time favorites from each genre- but a lot of times my next pick will vary with my moods 🙂

Sherman Alexie is one of my favorite writers. There was a film called “Smoke Signals” based on one of his books that was amazing too. I love the wide breadth of your selections. I’ve read some of them, and I agree with your opinions! Thank you for the selections!Linda Medrano recently posted..It Could Have Been Worse – Day 30

I would recommend it. I’ve let other books pull me away from it, so I haven’t finished it, but will hopefully do so this week. The writing is excellent, and she moves back and forth in time really well, which I’m trying to improve on in my own writing.Tina Barbour recently posted..Don’t run from the animals, don’t show your fear

Love the list!! Have read a few of these, but now I have lots of good ideas for more to put on my own list… especially Beryl’s! 🙂 Last one I read was Water for Elephants… SO good.Cathy recently posted..I Have an Exam Coming Up on Friday

Kim, thanks for providing such a great list. I’ve read a few of these, I own (and have yet read) a couple. Thanks for sharing it with us, just in time for summer reading!Monica recently posted..When Morning Comes

Kim what a wonderful list of books! (Have I told you I adore your lists?) I’ve read the Plath, Hosseini, Coetzee, and Lamott, but I’ve copied this to my desktop to make sure I read ALL the rest. GRAZIE MILLE! Can’t wait. I’m reading Mansfield Park, which I love. I found it for cheap on a dusty bookshelf in Rome.Jann Huizenga recently posted..Vespas with Liver Spots in Sicily

Thanks for posting this. Was just thinking that I needed to get another book soon for summr reaidng since I just finished my last book a few days ago. I read mostly nonfiction….I enjoy any kind of true story, autobiograpshy, etc. Think I may try some of the novels on your list!Debbie recently posted..Strawberry Cake with Thick Strawberry Glaze

Kim Sisto-Robinson

What an eclectic choice of books! I’ve read some, heard of others and some are totally new to me, waiting to become old friends. I love to read, especially in this summer heat by getting up early and sitting on the deck while it is still slightly cool, very quiet and a perfect time to read a little! I’m off to check out Terri and Pam’s books!nan @ lbddiaries recently posted..The Proposal Redux

Kim Sisto-Robinson

Liz

July 2, 2012 at 6:39 am

Wow, Kim, these sound like some great books! Must read! I loved your descriptions as they make me want to read these books. Two of my favorite books are ‘The Red Tent’ by Anita Diamant (tells the story about Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob, from the Bible in her words) and ‘Little Miss Strange’ by Joanna Rose, which is told from the point of view of Sarajean Henry, a child growing up in ’60’s & ’70’s Denver, who is being raised by her Vietnam Veteran foster father Jimmy Henry and their life with their group of hippie/veteran friends.

Liz

Thanks for your list, Kim. I haven’t read much of what’s on there, so I have my work cut out for me! Finding time for pleasure reading has been tough lately, but I’m about two-thirds through a writing guide and a memoir. Why must I read two books at once???!Debbie recently posted..A Squirrel’s Journey

Kim Sisto-Robinson

Oh I need a good reading list this summer.
I got sucked into the Hunger Games. Gah…I swore I wouldn’t but my Aussie neighbor tricked me into it with her accent. Damn.Kimberly recently posted..Just Drive

Kim Sisto-Robinson

Although I am an avid reader I quickly forget most books after I read them. For me a book is a book is a book with very few exceptions. I often will buy a used book only to realize about halfway through that I already read it….I hate that!!!Sandy Webb recently posted..The Triggers That Lead To Pain

Clearly you like novels. I love the stories that Lisa See writes. Her novels are all set in China back in the day….I lived in Hong Kong for years so I really enjoy the setting. And her themes are always on women. A topic I never tire of reading and learning about.

This summer I am reading feminist-women empowered books in order to prep myself for my next book project. I have the class Running with the Wolves started and I just finished a book about what the author calls Ugliphobia. And I am excited that at my recent book scrounging excursion at the local thrift store I scored a copy of Cunt…a book that uses this shocking word to relay the word’s powerful history while addressing the subjugation of women.Pam Hogeweide recently posted..Comment on I Am Not a Good Christian Woman. Neither Was Jesus. by Pam Hogeweide

Kim Sisto-Robinson

Marcella

July 2, 2012 at 1:04 pm

Kim ~ thanks so much for sharing your list ~ I especially love supporting local authors!

Here are a couple I have found especially helpful ~

“The Art of Comforting” by Val Walker ~
With clarify, compassion and wisdom, she teaches the art and the craft of comforting others and ourselves as well. (Reading this book, I felt as though someone was with me when I needed comfort)
Excellent examples for all situations..

Dr. Alan Wolfelt
He has written 2 books about comforting those grieving by employing a new model he calls, “Companioning Philosophy”. I have not read either of the books – but love his philosophy, which is “I believe in ‘companioning’ the bereaved instead of ‘treating’ them”.

Great list, I haven’t heard about some of them before, but I bet they are genial, too. I am a huge fan of Elisabeth Berg as well, that’s why I feel now curious about the other ones, I think I’m going to choose my next read from your list!Manuela recently posted..Gibt es eine Alternative für chemische Sonnenschutz?

Kim Sisto-Robinson

Love you, hate you – some of these I’ve already read, some are on my TBR list, which is growing insanely.

Sylvia Plath was AMAZING. Read Hamilton’s A Map of the World – she is GOOD.

I recently read Deborah Lawrenson’s The Lantern – I have never read a book that was so sensual in its descriptions of scents before, truly amazing. Kind of Rebecca retold but in France, same creepy feeling, haunting and romantic, and oh so evocative.

Then I read some crap which I will not mention here by name to spare the sensitivity of the newbie authors, but I will say, sometimes there is a very good reason no publisher wants your book.Beverly Diehl recently posted..Baby Steps, Babycakes, with Your FaceBook Fan Page

Kim Sisto-Robinson

Several of those are on my favorites list. Anne Lamott is one of my heroes. I’m not Christian, and I regularly suggest my non Christian friends, even the ones who aren’t writers, read her. She is so awesome.Jester Queen recently posted..Hanging on the telephone

Kim Sisto-Robinson

DRY! YES! Augusten is amazing.
These are so fabulous because our book club has been on complete hiatus. We can’t come up with anything lately and I totally trust your suggestion over any Oprah book club list. Not that I’m dissing Oprah! I just know you know what is good, lady. THANK YOU! I can read again.Wild Child Mama recently posted..Weekly Give Away #2! And an excerpt from my memoir

Kim Sisto-Robinson

Kim, dearest, I wish I had this list before this trip! Some of these books seem like the perfect choice to bring along to the beach. (Along with a mojito and a wide brimmed hat) hee hee! Beryl’s book has totally caught my attention. I’m intrigued, to say the least, and what a treat that you were able to meet her! You lucky lady! Roxy and I have been relaxing as we lounge and the terrace and wait for our WiFi to connect. It’s a pain but the fresh breeze and the Spanish wine help! ha! Big hugs to you from Roxy and me! 🙂

Lolita indeed kicks ass. One of my all-time faves. (Got here via Debra Elramey’s tweet) Traveling Mercies, always a good go-to. Read Talk Before Sleep years ago … all I remember is I cried. Husband liked Dry. Other great choices here, too. I happen to love The Poisonwood Bible. The first several paragraphs are, to my, lyrical … as are the last. Still like A Tale of Two Cites — Dickens’s wit … the odd place where he steps out, as narrator, and speaks directly to the reader. The Book Thief was a good recent read because of the narrator, Death. Think I’ll check out #2 and #3 from your list. Thanks!

Okay, you have gone up a few more notches on my radar! Berg and LaMott? Yes, for sure, but I like your taste on many of the others, too!

I have neglected my reading since I started blogging. I am using the excuse that we have a new library under construction. Then…we just have to sneak books away from the volunteers who grab the good ones first!Amy@souldipper recently posted..Occupy Blogosphere, Thursday, July 5, 2012

Kim Sisto-Robinson

Oh, love this post!!! Great to see your book chat and it makes me realize that I have not read at least half of the ones on your list. Thrilled to have your suggestions! Thanks Kim.Kelly @ Inspired Edibles recently posted..Medi-Mexi Salsa Verde